Be The Change NZ campaign video 'Be The Hero - help STOP bullying'

Please SUBSCRIBE, 'thumbs up' & share. Your interest will help us gain funding to make MORE bully prevention videos written by young people! We are SO proud to announce the launch of our informative and empowering '#upstand' campaign through the winning video from their nationwide competition. This May, the bully prevention charity ran a competition that asked young people to write a script about being an ‘upstander’ rather than a ‘bystander’ to bullying. The winner had the opportunity to be a featured extra in the video alongside Shortland Street star Grace Palmer and More FM Drive Show Host Jason Gunn. The lead role of 'Kate' was played by Year 12 Cashmere High student Bella Petrie.

There were 93 entries from all across New Zealand. 1st place winner, 18 year old student Samantha Plunkett comments: "I entered this competition because I was drawn to how it was called #upstand" said Samantha. "I had never heard of that word before and I read the definition of it being someone who stands up and helps others. I wanted to #upstand and give a voice to people who have been bullied before and raise awareness that bullying does actually happen - it's not just an overused word. I hope this video can inspire people to be more confident and stand up to put a stop to bullying."

The project began 16 months ago via the Ministry of Social Development’s Te Punanga Haumaru Fund with the aim to reduce the negative impacts of bullying on young people, through a pro-social change initiative. “We adopted a ‘user centred design approach’ that involved a cross-section of young people, their whānau and teachers in a co-design process” commented Vicki. “This allowed us to put young people at the centre, to help come up with a solution to the complexities surrounding bullying, and how we can help prevent it”.

The #upstand video is the centre-piece for a newly developed interactive website that offers practical and empowering advice for young people and adults. Amongst the websites many features, it allows users to anonymously ask any bully-related question. The website also acts as a youth-friendly information and educational hub, providing physical resources as well as links to support agencies.
Join the #upstand movement at www.bethechangenz.org and help us make the world a better place for our young people. Kindness begins with you.

DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS IN THIS VIDEO ARE ACTORS. ALL EVENTS IN THIS VIDEO ARE FICTIONAL. ANY SIMILARITY TO ACTUAL PERSONS - LIVING OR DEAD, OR TO ACTUAL EVENTS, IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL.